FOR ALL THE YOUNG MEN
Here’s to all the young men –
Who have thrown a noose over
a beam in the haymow.
Those who have sat by the
water with the shotgun, contemplating who to shoot first.
Those who would put the
muzzle in their own mouth.
Those who have driven
unfamiliar Nebraska
country roads too fast at night.
Who drown their talents in
bad whiskey to seek oblivion.
Who marry for validation.
Those who sob into their
pillow at night because it is not getting
better.
And they can’t express their
angst to anyone. No one. Because no one can handle
such unspeakable
things.
For the sensitive ones
without the hardcock assurance that the jocks take as their birthright.
For those in the hinterlands
who would run but have no idea of where to find asylum.
For those who already know
the policeman is not their friend.
Those who have endured the
flaming words of flaming hate.
Support the ones who would
spring the trap and drop into a permanent oblivion.
Persevere. Endure.
You are my friend. Your day will
come. Don’t give up. Keep
the faith. You are the strong ones tempered in the
flaming words of hate.
Daniel
Wenger
For
me.
January
20, 2013
(C) copyright
Daniel Wenger 2013
(C) copyright
Daniel Wenger 2013
